My 1998 V70 GLT Rebuild Project

[bmdubya1198]

I guess the RTV is a poor mans PCV fix for keep oil out of the spark plugs.
I had offered my, not to old, wires and cap to another person that did not respond. You are welcome to them.
May help keep the $$ in the wallet a few days longer.
Metallic cat urine.."Can't you smell that smell, the smell is all around you"
Shane

Love that song! Haha... I'll let you know if I want the cap and wires. As you can see in the pictures, the boots are pretty nasty looking from that RTV.
May have been, but I think the RTV was from the cam cover. I don't know the guy that rebuilt the head, but I don't think he knew what he was doing.

[bmdubya1198]

...The spark plug well was full of oil, including the boot. I'm going to assume this is a combination of the PCV and the oil cap seal. I just replaced the oil cap seal today...

This is another reason I removed the plastic cosmetic cover. This way any oil leak, either from spillage during oil change or topping up or bad cap seal, can be seen right away. With the cosmetic cover in place, the problem is very well hidden from view.

That's a very good point! At least oil leaks are fairly easy to find with the design of the cam cover.

[bmdubya1198]

Okay, false alarm. The nasty smell was my "washer fluid." Whatever that nasty alcohol/soap/whatever mixture was in there was, I emptied it and refilled it with fresh fluid. No more smell!

[bmdubya1198]

Just ordered the PCV parts from FCP Euro. With any luck, I'll have the parts by this weekend and I'll be able to put them in.
Next on the list: windshield!

[bmdubya1198]

Got the PCV taken care of this weekend. The exhaust isn't smoking nearly as much as it was (neither is the dipstick), and the car runs a bit better! I also did an oil change right after the PCV, hoping to also fix the leak coming from the oil filter, but that didn't seem to work. The leak is smaller, but it's still leaking. Anyone know how that would happen? It's a Mann filter.
I'm thinking she's going to need a timing belt soon, so that's now on my list. Especially after uncovering the horrible workmanship from the previous owner's "mechanic," I really want to take care of the timing belt. He probably just stretched the old one back on after rebuilding the head.
As for the horrible work, this guy was really bad. As in, his shop should have been shut down a long time ago bad. SEVERAL screws from various places were missing, at least two hose brackets were just sitting there, and somehow hadn't fallen right out of the engine, and of course that wonderful sloppy RTV/silicone cam cover gasket. It absolutely disgusts me that these people can stay in business. If you have an independent shop you bring your car to, make sure they're professionals that know what they're doing, not some back yard Ford mechanic that thinks he can tackle a Volvo.

[bmdubya1198]

Quick update!
I am expecting new silicone turbo cooling hoses tomorrow from iPd, which will likely go in this weekend. I haven't done much else with it in a couple weeks with the exception of gluing my driver's door panel back together, but I only have a few more things to do before the car is good to go for registration/inspection (I know, I know, I should have taken care of that a while ago...). Just have to replace the ignition parts, the battery (the CCA on mine is way too low), and the windshield. There are several other things that need to be done (paint, struts, shocks, oil cooler hose, A/C [maybe]) but this is about all for the rebuild part.
From there, I have plenty of other things I want to do to this car, but I probably won't post very often on this thread. I feel like it's needlessly dragging on at this point, haha.

[scot850]

It sounds like the endless project just like my 'R'. It just never ends.....!

Well done with the work so far, and hopefully you will feel it was all worthwhile at the end. I have enjoyed your progress and long may it continue and that hopeful inspection pass soon.

As for that leak, you may find it isn't actually the oil filter but the oil pan seal starting to leak. I think there is a how to here, and it is worth doing and to replace the 'O' rings for the oil system between the pan and the block. I had to do this with our 98 V70 XC. It made a big difference with the reduced valve noise on start up.

Neil.

[bmdubya1198]

I'm happy with what I've done so far, and once I'm driving it, I'm sure I'll be very happy with it!
Interesting... I'll have to look into that. I think it may be coming from the oil cooler hose, but I'm not sure. I'd like to get it up on ramps and take a good look, but I have to borrow them from my uncle. Either that or I need to finally get my own!

[bmdubya1198]

Just installed an amplifier and SC-901 today. The sound quality is MUCH better than the stock SC-816! Definitely worth the upgrade!

[bmdubya1198]

After about 3 hours of work yesterday, I managed to get my wood grain center stack in. It's a lot of work, but I'm happy with it! I didn't like the gray trim at all!
I also picked up a decent beige leather steering wheel from the junk yard yesterday. I have some leather dye on the way so I can re-dye it, and it should look and feel like new!
Windshield is going to be replaced within the next week or two, and I need to track down the center console wood trim piece now.